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[jjleonard]

Thanks to everyone on here for the WIM recommendation - went there this afternoon, and Tony pointed out that my front wishbone bushes were knackered, and I needed a new steering idler!

Fair play to him though, he told me that getting the geometry done would be pointless and he sent me off without charging me! I'm definintely going back once I've got it sorted.

So - I've seen wishbones and steering idlers on ebay - am I safe to get them from there? Should I go to VX instead? Although I've heard that VX charge a fortune for these!

Can anybody recommend an ebay seller, or an OOFer who has these parts? I'm asking millions of questions simply because with impending work required on the cam cover gasket, cambelt change, breather clean and oil changes and now the wishbones and idler too I'm starting to see the costs rack up and I want to enjoy my christmas!  

Thanks in advance.

[ffcgary1]

 you can get the bushes seperatly from vx and install them in your arms.[will need to be pressed in] that will save you buying arms that you dont need. the idler arm is about £50 ish as far as i can remember from vx so the ebay item will save you more. Not too much cost involved here but maybe a bit more time /labour.

Gary

[jjleonard]

Thanks Gary - Tony at WIM said he reckoned that VX don't sell the front bushes any more (the wishbone bushes at the front, if you get what I mean). He reckoned that it would be cheaper to get a new pair of wishbones - on fleabay they're about 30 quid a pair inc. bushes and ball joints.

ebay sellers are doing the steering idlers for about 30 quid - I'm trying to find one that has both wishbones and idlers so I don't get stung for postage.  

[nabsim]

Can you get Powerflex bushes for these? If so they are usually a split 2 piece job and quite easy to swap once the old ones are out.

If the wishbones are pressed steel like the vecs it was cheaper to buy new wishbones than mess about with bushes though.

[jjleonard]

Can you get Powerflex bushes for these? If so they are usually a split 2 piece job and quite easy to swap once the old ones are out.

If the wishbones are pressed steel like the vecs it was cheaper to buy new wishbones than mess about with bushes though.

That's what I was thinking. If the fleabay wishbones are reliable, then at 40 odd quid and a day to fit, it's cheaper and simpler to do that rather than pulling out the wishbones and then finding someone to fit bushes while my car is off the road. I use the car everyday so I'd prefer to do the work myself in one go.

[feeutfo]

Can you get Powerflex bushes for these? If so they are usually a split 2 piece job and quite easy to swap once the old ones are out.

If the wishbones are pressed steel like the vecs it was cheaper to buy new wishbones than mess about with bushes though.

That's what I was thinking. If the fleabay wishbones are reliable, then at 40 odd quid and a day to fit, it's cheaper and simpler to do that rather than pulling out the wishbones and then finding someone to fit bushes while my car is off the road. I use the car everyday so I'd prefer to do the work myself in one go.

Merle do bushes for the omega front bones. £40 a set. Imho it better to source second hand wishbones and get then pressed first by Marks Dtm on here, and THEN fit them as if new. Cheapest if you have time. ie.  its not ripping tires or failed the mot.
 Failing that your into after market bones by FIA and others about £50. Some have questioned quality here, others are guite happy with them.

Genuine vx are 230 plus as side! But these are simply rebadged lemforder items that are 120 a pair from autovaux. Also try vaux centre iirc.

When installing follow the guide on here, PLUS, TORQUE THE BOLTS(values in haynes) WITH THE CAR ON THE GROUND/
SUSPENSION LOADED! so as to clamp the bushes in the correct less stressed position. Hth

[ffcgary1]

The bushes are still availible from vx but i see you point regards time and effort involved. As far as poly bushes are concerned they are only availible from on guy on here i think who makes them himself, search the threads regarding this as i remember a long thread on the same subject.

[jjleonard]

Thanks Chris / Gary - I did remember the point about torquing them up when the car was on the ground, so they were set right. Just sitting here wondering what job to do first - the wishbones aren't eating tyres just yet, so they may have to wait till jan.

[Richard A]

VSC - Vauxhall Spares Centre, 01708 384720, I bought 2 wishbones back in January 2007 with 116k on the clock, now 152k ie 36,000 miles and they cost £55 including delivery, may need to be change for the MOT in April 2009. Excellent value.
regards
richard a

[feeutfo]

if the belt is due now do that  first obviously. If not then do breathers first. But bare in mine on your engine the plenum has to come off for both jobs. So you could make a weekend of it or do them seperately. But in the cold weather maybe just do the gaskits and be done with it til the belt is due, do breathers as you rebuild it or they blow again, but you knew that im sure.

[platty]

I would recommend www.buypartsby.com for your wishbones, about £50 delivered.

Ebay Idlers are ok as long as you are paying £30+ avoid LMF though - utter 5hite! (imo)

Platty

[jjleonard]

if the belt is due now do that  first obviously. If not then do breathers first. But bare in mine on your engine the plenum has to come off for both jobs. So you could make a weekend of it or do them seperately. But in the cold weather maybe just do the gaskits and be done with it til the belt is due, do breathers as you rebuild it or they blow again, but you knew that im sure.

Hmmm... you're right. I've been considering what to do first, and the cambelt needs doing, the gaskets need doing, the breathers need cleaning, and it needs an oil change, so I might as well do the whole lot in one go next weekend - seeing that if I'm going to have the plenum off, then I might as well do all the work in one go!

The wishbones can wait until the new year - i.e. next paycheque.

Thanks, lads!

[jjleonard]

I would recommend www.buypartsby.com for your wishbones, about £50 delivered.

Ebay Idlers are ok as long as you are paying £30+ avoid LMF though - utter 5hite! (imo)

Platty

Platty - do the buypartsby ones come with bushes as well? I couldn't be sure from the pics on the site.

[platty]

I would recommend www.buypartsby.com for your wishbones, about £50 delivered.

Ebay Idlers are ok as long as you are paying £30+ avoid LMF though - utter 5hite! (imo)

Platty

Platty - do the buypartsby ones come with bushes as well? I couldn't be sure from the pics on the site.

Yep. They come ready to go striaght on, I had problems with my first set as they were different side to side. Replacement set were spot on though.

Also, check the condiditon of your bolts... if they look a bit tired (badly rusted or manky thread) then its worth £8 for a new set from Vx trade.

Already been mentioned, but torquing the bolts with vehicle on the ground or on ramps is crucial to ensure longevity of the 'bones.  

[Bandit127]

I would recommend www.buypartsby.com for your wishbones, about £50 delivered.

Ebay Idlers are ok as long as you are paying £30+ avoid LMF though - utter 5hite! (imo)

Platty

Platty - do the buypartsby ones come with bushes as well? I couldn't be sure from the pics on the site.

Have these on mine. All complete and ready to go. They don't look sgnificantly cheaper than the outgoing ones. And they are tapped for the level sensor if you have one.